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Perspectives of Vocational High School English Teachers Regarding Kurikulum Merdeka
Perspectives of Vocational High School English Teachers Regarding Kurikulum Merdeka
Perspectives of Vocational High School English Teachers Regarding Kurikulum Merdeka
Abstract: This article explores the perspectives of English teachers in a vocational high
school regarding the implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka. This study investigates
various aspects of Kurikulum Merdeka through questionnaires and interviews, including
its basic concept, teaching modules, learning processes, and assessment methods. The
findings reveal that teachers perceived Kurikulum Merdeka positively. They considered it
an improvement over the previous curriculum. Moreover, teachers appreciated the
flexibility of Kurikulum Merdeka, although they also emphasized the importance of
adequate training and collaboration among teachers for successful implementation.
Regarding the learning process, teachers recognized the potential of Kurikulum Merdeka
to foster student creativity and social responsibility, mainly through integrating the
Pancasila Student Profile Enhancement Project (P5). In terms of assessment, teachers
emphasized the importance of diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments in
providing continuous feedback. This study provides valuable insights into English teachers'
perceptions of Kurikulum Merdeka regarding educational practice in Indonesia's vocational
high schools.
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Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
81
Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
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Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
through P5, and could foster an active fosters students’ creativity and
learning atmosphere. Furthermore, they motivation. In addition, teachers felt
all also believed that P5 was able to adequately trained to implement it,
encourage students and enhance their particularly in teaching English. They
awareness by emphasizing their active also felt that they had been adequately
role in its implementation. This result is equipped with new approaches and
in line with Fatma & Ratmanida (2023) effective strategies.
who state that the English teachers of
Junior High Schools in Koto Tangah, Teachers’ Perspectives on The
Padang come to an agreement that Teaching Module of Kurikulum
integrating P5 in the differentiated Merdeka
learning of Kurikulum Merdeka can bring The table presented below
positive outcomes for the students. highlights the teachers’ perspectives on
During interviews, teachers the teaching module of Kurikulum
expressed optimism about transitioning to Merdeka which is known as Modul Ajar
Kurikulum Merdeka, especially for (MA).
vocational students. They saw it as
aligning vocational learning with Table 3. Teaching Module of
workforce needs by fostering applicable Kurikulum Merdeka (KM)
skills. They also believed that the Statement Response Total
curriculum changes aim to ensure MA supports SD -
education remains adaptable and teachers in the D -
produces competent, innovative learning process A 3
graduates, adept in Pancasila's values and SA 1
global competition. MA increases SD -
One of the teachers stated her administrative D 3
burden on teachers. A 1
opinion that Kurikulum Merdeka offers
SA -
an opportunity to improve the relevance
Components of MA SD -
of learning in vocational high schools
are clear, D -
(SMK) to meet the demands of the comprehensible and A 3
workforce. She noted that this change feasible SA 1
allows vocational students, particularly Components are SD -
students at SMK Assa’adah Bungah to thorough and D 1
enhance their contextual and applicable detailed. A 3
skills. Her opinion implied that the SA -
implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka is MA emphasize six SD -
aligning education more closely with dimensions of P5
real-world needs that could significantly (Devotion to the D 1
contribute to the development of student's Almighty One;
skills in vocational high schools. Global diversity; A 2
Moreover, teachers perceived Collaboration;
Kurikulum Merdeka as offering Independence;
Critical thinking; SA 1
flexibility that empowers them to
and Creativity.
enhance learning and instill values.
Designed to elevate education quality, it
Table 3 above highlights the
adopted a student-centered approach that
perspectives of English teachers
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Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
regarding the Modul Ajar (teaching stressing teacher collaboration for diverse
modules) in "Kurikulum Merdeka" and influential module creation. While
Among respondents, 25% strongly teaching modules and resources are vital,
agreed, and 75% agreed that these collaboration and continuous evaluation
modules greatly aid English learning. are essential for optimal learning
However, 25% agreed, and 75% outcomes. Moreover, one of the teachers
disagreed that they add to teachers' admitted that she typically engages a
administrative burden. Similarly, 25% team of teachers to ensure the teaching
strongly agreed, and 75% agreed that modules and resources are diverse and
these modules are easy to create and beneficial. It emphasizes the importance
implement. Regarding their comprehen- of collaboration among teachers to ensure
siveness, 75% agreed, while 25% the effectiveness and utility of teaching
disagreed, that the modules' components modules and resources.
are detailed. Additionally, opinions
varied on whether the modules should Teachers' Perspectives on The
focus on the six dimensions of the P5 Learning Process of Kurikulum
project. Merdeka
The results above showed that The table below outlines the
most teachers positively viewed Modul teachers' perspectives on Kurikulum
Ajar (the teaching module) in Kurikulum Merdeka's learning process. Table
Merdeka. They do not consider the 4 above outlines the learning process in
obligation to create the teaching module a Kurikulum Merdeka. Regarding
burden. They perceive the teaching Statement 11, opinions varied, with 25%
modules as an aid in conducting the strongly agreeing, 50% agreeing, and
teaching-learning process due to their 25% disagreeing with Kurikulum
detailed components and ease of creation Merdeka's learning process. Statement 12
and implementation. Anggaira (2023) saw an equal split, with 50% strongly
supports this perspective by stating that agreeing and 50% agreeing that it makes
the teaching module aims to reduce students more active. Similarly, in
teachers' administrative burdens in Statement 13, 50% strongly agreed, and
providing teaching materials and enable 50% agreed that learning in Kurikulum
them to support and empower their Merdeka can occur inside or outside the
students to develop their potential. classroom. Statement 14 revealed another
During interviews, teachers equal split, with 50% agreeing and 50%
outlined the process of preparing teaching agreeing that teachers and students can
modules by emphasizing identifying achieve maximum results. Finally, in
learning objectives as the most superficial Statement 15, 50% strongly agreed, and
aspect and designing comprehensive 50% agreed that students can excel
learning activities as the most entirely due to unlimited learning
challenging. Despite some challenges, resources. It strengthens the statement
teachers perceive the teaching module's from Zamista & Deswita (2023) that
effectiveness at SMK Assa'adah Bungah Kurikulum Merdeka offers students
as relatively high, although its novelty opportunities to engage in learning
poses implementation difficulties. They according to their characteristics;
noted that additional time and resources thereby, this occasion will enhance the
are required for module development, possibility of students achieving the
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Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
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Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
with Lestari et al. (2024), who argued that In addition, the teachers
the diverse range of assessments within mentioned that the assessment could be
the Kurikulum Merdeka aids in adapted to align with the intended
formulating a learning framework that learning objectives. Additionally, they
corresponds to the diverse competencies emphasized that assessments not only
and circumstances of the students. assign grades but also offer valuable
Moreover, another teacher emphasized insights for students to enhance their
the importance of formative assessment understanding and performance.
in providing continuous feedback to Furthermore, they noted that formative
students and refining the learning assessment is frequently employed to
process. offer continuous feedback to students and
enhance the learning process. In
Table 5. Assessment of Kurikulum conclusion, the English teachers
Merdeka (KM) highlighted the importance of
Statement Response Total assessments in guiding student learning
Teachers have SD - and improvement.
the flexibility to D 1 From the findings of the
use diverse A 2 questionnaire and interviews with
assessment SA 1 English teachers at SMK Ass'adah,
Diagnostic, SD - several key points emerge. Firstly, there
formative, and D - is agreement among teachers that the
summative A 2 concept of "Kurikulum Merdeka"
assessments are SA 2 surpasses its predecessor, aligning better
fit to assess with national educational goals and
students in standards. Additionally, some teachers
English subject acknowledge that P5 within the
Teachers have to SD - "Kurikulum Merdeka" fosters student
complete a D - engagement. This finding was in line with
teacher A 2 the prior research from Alfina & Hasanah
reflection form SA 2 (2024), who stated that integrating P5
at the end of into the learning process provides
lesson to assess students of SMKN 2 Buduran with the
the conducted opportunity to develop their talents and
learning process interests more broadly and openly by the
Graduation SD - principle of individual differences.
standards should D - Secondly, regarding teaching
be determined A 2 modules in the Kurikulum Merdeka, some
by each SA 2 teachers express concerns about
individual increased administrative burdens. In
school contrast, others advocate for alignment
Graduation SD - with the six dimensions of the Pancasila
standards should D - profile, albeit with adaptability to specific
not be decided A 2 subjects. Most teachers assume that the
only with written most superficial aspect of creating a
SA 2
exams teaching module is identifying the
learning objectives, while the most
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Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
87
Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
88
Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
89
Jurnal Pena Edukasi ISSN 2407-0769 (cetak)
Vol. 11, No.1, Apr 2024, hlm. 80 – 90 ISSN 2549-4694 (online)
Available online at http://jurnal.goretanpena.com/index.php/JPE
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